Ticker-tape parade

History

The term originated in New York City after a spontaneous celebration held on October 28, 1886, during the dedication of the Statue of Liberty and is still most closely associated with New York City. The term ticker tape originally referred to the use of the paper output of ticker-tape machines, which were remotely driven devices used in brokerages to provide updated financial quotes of company shares. The term ticker came from the sound made by the machine as it printed.

In New York City, ticker-tape parades are reserved for special occasions. Soon after the first such parade in 1886, city officials realized the utility of such events and began to hold them on triumphal occasions, such as the return of Theodore Roosevelt from his African safari, Gertrude Ederle swimming the English Channel, and Charles Lindbergh's trans-Atlantic flight. The first individual to be honored with a ticker-tape parade was Admiral George Dewey, hero of the battle of Manila Bay, in 1899, when two million people came out to New York City. Following World War II, several ticker-tape parades were given in honor of victorious generals and admirals, including General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Admiral Chester Nimitz. Two of the longest and largest ticker-tape parades were given for World War II and Korean War General Douglas MacArthur in 1951, after he was relieved of duty by President Harry S. Truman, and for astronaut John Glenn in 1962. Golfers Bobby Jones (1921 and 1930) and Ben Hogan (1953) were honored with ticker-tape parades after their British Open triumphs.

The section of lower Broadway through the Financial District that serves as the parade route for these events is colloquially called the "Canyon of Heroes". More than 200 black granite strips embedded in the sidewalks along the Canyon of Heroes list those honored by past ticker-tape parades. By the early 21st century, such parades became far more infrequent, largely limited to championship sports teams, and celebrations of the return of astronauts and military troops.

Ticker tape as such became obsolete in the 1960s, as television and computers came into use for transmitting financial information. Modern parades utilize waste office paper and toilet paper that have been cut using conventional paper shredders. The city also distributes paper confetti.

References

References

1. (8 June 2010). "My World Cup: Osvaldo Ardiles (Argentina, 1978, 1982)". Lancashire Telegraph.
2. "World Cup history: Argentina 1978". TalkTalk.
3. (18 May 2010). "The story of the 1978 World Cup". BBC.
4. (October 29, 1886). "The Sights and Sightseers". [[The New York Times]].
5. Hayes, Adam. (April 22, 2022). "Ticker Tape".
6. Laura Fitzpatrick ''"[https://web.archive.org/web/20091109023517/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1935808,00.html Brief History Ticker-Tape Parades]."'' Time Magazine 6 November 2009
7. (29 October 1986). "Ticker-Tape Parades: Which Were Biggest?". New York Times.
8. Santos, Fernanda. (11 June 2008). "Super Bowl-Winning Giants Get Canyon of Heroes Honor". [[The New York Times]].
9. [https://www.wsj.com/articles/nyc-ticker-tape-parade-for-u-s-womens-soccer-steps-off-friday-1436522401 NYC Ticker-Tape Parade for U.S. Women's Soccer Steps Off Friday]
10. Belson, Ken (February 7, 2008). [http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/they-dont-throw-paper-like-they-used-to/?_r=0 "They Don't Throw Paper Like They Used To"]. ''The New York Times''.